It’s the most wonderful time of the year! With the kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you be of good cheer!
Having a family keeps the magic of Christmas well and truly alive, so why not whisk your little team away for a festive break where you can all indulge in December delights in the run-up to the big day?
We have rounded up the best spots for magical family breaks in December.
London
The capital does Christmas so well, it’s always worth a visit at this time of year.
The biggest festive event of the year in London is Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. Here, the whole family can enjoy a complete Christmas extravaganza including the largest outdoor ice rink in the UK, 2 circuses, a Santa’s grotto of course, as well as the magical Ice Kingdom, Christmas markets and themed bars!
If you have a Harry Potter fan in the family, check out the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter! As a special Yuletide treat, they have devised ‘Hogwarts in the Snow’, a special festive version of the studio tour which includes the Christmassy décor featured in the films amongst gorgeous snow and ice effects.
Take the kids to the wonderland that is Hamleys on Regent Street. This iconic toy shop is an Aladdin’s cave of toys, games and entertainment, so it’s a must visit before Christmas. Keep an eye out for out for their famously impressive festive displays (think Duncan’s Toy Chest from Home Alone 2!)
You can book the perfect Christmas break at our Hallmark Hotel London Chigwell Prince Regent which is a short 30 minutes from the heart of the city, so you can relax and enjoy some family time in our splendid listed Georgian manor after busy days!
Chester
With its famous Jacobean-inspired architecture, Chester is a naturally Christmassy city, so it’s the perfect destination for a magical Christmas break with the kids.
You can kick off your festive trip with a visit to Chester zoo where you and your little ones will be spellbound by the lanterns:
Then explore the famous Chester Christmas market and its 70 chalets full of festive treats; foods, crafts and gifts galore! The market sprawls in a circle around a huge sparkling Christmas tree so this is the ideal festive day out.
It’s the perfect time of year to then visit Chester Cathedral – not just a community place of worship but an important piece of history and a much-loved archaeological treasure. The Cathedral also plays host to festive seasonal events that draw thousands every year, such as the The Christmas Tree festival, Christmas carol concerts, the musical celebration that is Christmas Crackers, and special Christmas services running all through December.
Lastly, it’s not Christmas without a festive show of some kind, right? Chester’s brand-new theatre, Storyhouse, is celebrating its first Christmas with lots of yuletide events! The Storyhouse features a large auditorium, a theatre, 2 bars, a restaurant and a 100-seat boutique cinema. It even has a library! One show you don’t want to miss is first ever stage adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Secret Seven!
While enjoying this enchanting city, you can stay at Hallmark Hotel the Queen, Chester. We are proud of this historic hotel, which has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Cecil Rhodes in years past.
Stratford-Upon-Avon
This historic town is in its element at this time of year, with yuletide cheer and tradition radiating out of every thatched roof, Tudor beam and street cobble.
Stratford is home to one of the UK’s most famous Santa’s Grottos! The ‘We Believe in Father Christmas’ experience includes a visit to ‘the most authentic Father Christmas ever’ in the Enchanted Manor on Magic Alley. The kids can then follow a Christmas trail, solve puzzles and have a snowball fight at the end! Read all about it here.
Round up your festive trip with the perfect festive theatrical experience; Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Royal Shakespeare Company – a timeless classic brought to life on stage by the most accomplished names in British theatre.
Enjoy Stratford-Upon-Avon at Christmas in the best possible setting, in our Grade II* listed 19th century neo-Jacobean mansion; Hallmark Hotel The Welcombe.
We hope you and your family have a wonderful break celebrating the magic of Christmas in one of these super festive spots. As always, make sure you ask our staff if you would like any further information about the local area!
